Revelation from Revelation

Okay, you need to know that I'm one of those guys who would rather just leave Revelation alone. Let's face it, it's a difficult book to understand and most super-spiritual people who spend all their time in it only seem to so they can confuse the faith right out of other, less-spiritual people. The fact is, no matter how you slice it, it's hard to figure out. First, you and I don't live during the worst persecution of Christians in the history of the world. Our family members and friends are not being thrown to the lions, sharks, killed in the streets, impaled, cut down by gladiators while completely defenseless just because we believe in Jesus... shall I go on? Second, None of us (most likely) have no real idea what it's like to live under a king, except for what we've read in books or seen in movies. Third, we are separated by almost two thousand years, we can't possibly understand every nuance, and reference.

Having said that, let me share with you a bit of revelation I received while reading Revelation (which was part of my 2010 reading and I just finished it!). FYI - I have never preached from Revelation, don't claim to understand it and anything I say about I have the right to completely change my mind in a moment!

I see two parallel stories going on here.
One is the story of God's great love for his people, those who believe in His Son Jesus Christ - true children of Abraham. It is terrible for Him as He watches the torture of those He loves so much. He wants to show them that their determined and resolute faith will not be forgotten or go unrewarded. So He gives them a picture of two things: His wrath on those who do not believe and have attacked and killed His people. And, the future eternal victory and homecoming of all those who have remained faithful... they will get to stand with Jesus on the sea of glass before the very throne of God!

Second is the story of God's great love for those who refuse to acknowledge Him as God, Ruler, Creator, Sustainer and Master. You may not catch it right off but think about it this way, God has tried for thousands of years to get humanity to recognize Him as God. He has loved, provided, cared for and demonstrated His power and majesty over and over again, but people refuse to see Him for who He is. They worship the created instead of the Creator. So, like a caring, loving parent, God begins to reveal Himself through increasing displays of His power and authority (the horse and riders and terrors) in the hopes that those disciplined will recognize Him and turn to Him as God so that He can save them and love them like He so desperately desires. But, with every increasing display they recognize God and at the same time, harden their hearts against Him. Refusing to turn, to yield, to submit, to love the God who so desperately loves them.

Both stories are about God's love. God's love is ultimate and unending and the star of this story. For those who ultimately refuse to love Him back, there is death. For those who respond to either His love or His power by believing and calling on His Name He gives the right to be present with Him forever. God's love reigns supreme.

I no longer see Revelation as a difficult book or scary kind of story only the super-christian can figure out. I see it as a continuation of the Love Story that started, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... It's a GREAT story.